Lions, Giraffes and Gorillas Oh My

[Flying mermaid]

Some random food photos. The food was very good. Beautiful bread rolls and the chocolate croissants were the best ever and I am not normally a pastry person

 

[love_the_life]

Ooh, glad to hear you got over your wobbly OK. Bet it wasn't pleasant for you or for MrFM who I'm sure was very worried.

Lots of lovely animals and the food and lodging don't look too shabby either. We think we'll be back in 2018 at some stage but have to get over Antarctica and a new kitchen first. Probably will just stick with Timbavati and Sabi Sands again.

 

[Flying mermaid]

And a few more

 

[Flying mermaid]

Ooh, glad to hear you got over your wobbly OK. Bet it wasn't pleasant for you or for MrFM who I'm sure was very worried.

Lots of lovely animals and the food and lodging don't look too shabby either. We think we'll be back in 2018 at some stage but have to get over Antarctica and a new kitchen first. Probably will just stick with Timbavati and Sabi Sands again.

he was quite worried, as I so very rarely get sick!

I think it’s good to go back to places you know, as you can see the changes. I do like East Africa though - very different terrain to South Africa.

 

[Milboo]

Glad you came right and didn’t miss too much.

What an amazing experience with the elephants - and so many of them! And all the babies!!

 

[Straubs]

Glad to hear you're ok.
We've been so lucky to follow along this photographic odyssey ...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Just a little to finish off. From Singita we flew in a 12 seater Caravan to Nairobi, stopping at Musoma to clear immigration (with a much nicer security lady). We flew through a rather scary storm, but landed safely at JKIA. I think time of day (it was well after 5pm), meant we had to land there instead of Wilson. It was a little strange being next to all the big jets.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We were staying at Hemingway’s for two nights before the long journey home. I had provided feedback to the hotel about the poor check in experience. Amazing service recovery this time. Our driver drew up at the entrance. As I got out of the car I was pounced on by the duty manager and welcomed. We were swept through the lobby (no check in at all), upgraded to a 160 m2 suite and given a bottle of wine and a big bowl of fruit.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We had a lovely relaxing day the next day, where we strolled around the beautiful gardens, read and ate nice meals. Hemingways is in the suburb of Karen, so very near many of the attractions and Wilson airport. Bit further to JKIA, but you use the bypass which helps with traffic.

Quite a new hotel and attractive with very friendly staff. It is definitely top of our list for places to stay in Nairobi.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Nice meals in a relaxing atmosphere

 

[Flying mermaid]

Melania Trump was in Nairobi at the same time as us, so the hotel suggested leaving a bit earlier than usual in case of extra security on the roads. As it was we were in the terminal very quickly so had to wait until check in opened at 1pm.

Emirates uses the Turkish airways lounge. Nice lounge - a bit crowded, but the main problem is it is in terminal 1E which is still being fitted out, so there was no air conditioning. The lounge itself is air conditioned, but with an open ceiling it wasn't making much impact. After using the internet and having a bite to eat, we were so hot we went and sat at the gate in 1D.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Had a nice flight to Dubai and it was early enough to enjoy the food and wine There was an African version of the mezzo plate

 

[Flying mermaid]

By the time we were in Dubai we were starting to droop a little. We were leaving from concourse C so went to that lounge. A bit ordinary compared to the other two concourse lounges in decor, but staff were very friendly. It was quite deserted when we arrived and we found two seats facing the windows with pouffs so we could relax. I went hunting some fruit but couldn’t find any on the buffet. A staff member offered to bring some to the seat / possibly it was on the menu, as I didn’t think to look at it.

Around midnight downstairs and the dining area became very crowded, but there was still plenty of seats upstairs

 

[Flying mermaid]

Slept as soon as we got on the plane and woke up after 6 hours and had a lovely meal of canapés, caviar, a meat pie (!) and chocolates with tea. I still have memories of being on Qantas back from Dubai (in F) and getting a whole lot of attitude after I wanted something other than a steak sandwich when I woke up - like cheese and crackers. It is why I now fly Singapore, Emirates and others....

Shower was good too.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Landed in Melbourne around 10ish. I had removed dodgy items from luggage in Nairobi, so easy to show to Quarantine, but after asking what we had, they let us go through without looking. We had tea, coffee and carvings.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Quick sleep at the airport hotel and back on a plane at 8:30. The new domestic J lounge in Melbourne is a big improvement.

Luggage took forever to come off in Canberra. Our driver said if a domestic plane arrives at the same time as Qatar, then it gets priority, which is fair enough.

Soon we were home with the fur babies

 

[Flying mermaid]

Glad you came right and didn’t miss too much.

What an amazing experience with the elephants - and so many of them! And all the babies!!

there were masses of elephants - we saw two big herds come through while we were at the dam.

The guy who owns the property is doing a wonderful job and Singita are very committed as well

 

[tgh]

I find the clash between nature and human mores challenging.
In Kenya we rode by the most beautiful giraffe, our guide said he was old , on his last legs and would soon be ...er ..."consumed".
In Patagonia I snapped a pic of a foal with two huge scars down his rump. Our guide said mum had arrived just in time and the Puma would have gone hungry.
I have really enjoyed this vicarious journey but find no joy in the killing...

 

[Flying mermaid]

I have really enjoyed this vicarious journey but find no joy in the killing...

the first time we went to Africa we were totally on the side of the prey, but having followed a lion pride for 3 days and saw them slowly starving we changed our attitude.

Certainly take no joy in the killing, but recognise that even things I dislike like crocodiles have the right to eat.

 

[kermatu]

Slept as soon as we got on the plane and woke up after 6 hours and had a lovely meal of canapés, caviar, a meat pie (!) and chocolates with tea. I still have memories of being on Qantas back from Dubai (in F) and getting a whole lot of attitude after I wanted something other than a steak sandwich when I woke up - like cheese and crackers. It is why I now fly Singapore, Emirates and others....

Shower was good too.

Nailed it. The treatment of F pax on QF vs genuine premium airlines is becoming clearer to me by the day.